Marc Cardaronella is director of the Bishop Helmsing Institute for Faith Formation at the Diocese of Kansas City–St. Joseph, Missouri. He served as director of religious education at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Champaign, Illinois, 2002–2014 and was a US Navy aviator 1988–1999. Cardaronella grew up Catholic, but stopped practicing his faith after eighth grade. After a series of what he calls “strange events,” he was reintroduced to the faith of his youth and found meaning, purpose, and truth.

He has a bachelor’s degree (with honors) in theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he also earned a master’s degree (summa cum laude) in theology and Christian ministry with a specialization in catechetics. Cardaronella and his wife, Shannon, have two sons and live in Kansas City.